You’ve had to finally give in to getting dentures to give yourself the best possible appearance. Then you notice that, over time, your fancy new dentures are turning dark. They’re actually black! What gives?
Like the natural teeth, failure to clean your dentures properly will result in staining or the formation of black lines on the surface. Read on further to find out what causes this color change on your dentures.
What Causes Dentures to Get Discolored?
- Smoking
Like your natural teeth, the plastic base of dentures can become discolored after prolonged exposure to nicotine. Once staining occurs, you may have a hard time when trying to remove them, and you may need a replacement. Cigarettes produce tar and chemicals that can stick on dental appliances, resulting in a yellowish or brownish tint.
- Poor Dental Hygiene
Without proper flossing and brushing, plaque and stain-producing substances are left on the surfaces. Food particles accumulate on dentures whenever you eat due to several reasons. When food drifts to the floor of the mouth, it can get trapped under a lower denture.
Any debris when chewing and swallowing food may wind up in between your palate and the upper denture. Usually, food particles stick to rough plastic surfaces on your dentures more easily than on oral tissues.
As a result, it builds up over time. Your dentures take a significant amount of space in the mouth, which means you are more likely to feel debris collecting underneath them than the natural teeth. The particles stick in some areas more than others. Failure to get rid of them frequently will lead to oral problems.
- Dark Foods and Drinks
They are some of the leading causes of staining in teeth. Dark foods and drinks can also lead to the discoloration of your dentures. The material used in making dental appliances can also play a role.
There are tiny pits in acrylic dentures, which make them more prone to staining than porcelain ones. Irrespective of the type of your denture, avoiding denture-staining foods is key to prevent discoloration. One of the foods that you should eat with caution is curry. It can leave the dentures with little bits of not-so-welcome color.
If something can stain white clothing, it can also stain your dentures. If hot curry spills on your white shirt, you will need to use some stain remover to clean it. You don’t have to avoid curry altogether.
Instead, limit your consumption and ensure that you clean your dentures thoroughly immediately after. Another food that’s known for staining dentures is beets. They are commonly used in making cosmetic products to give them a red tint.
Eat them sparingly and ensure you clean the dentures soon after. Highly-dyed sweet treats such as black icing can also cause the discoloration of your dentures. You will see the results of consuming it immediately, and you will be walking around with scary black teeth.
Cookies and candy will have the same effect. Coffee, tea, and wine are also major culprits because of their dark shades.
How to Clean Dentures Properly
Dentures can break easily. Therefore, ensure you put down a towel before you start cleaning them. Be gentle to avoid bending or damaging the plastic or their attachments.
- Rinsing
Rinse the appliances after removing them to remove any food particles that may be present. Use warm water for the exercise. Rinse your dentures again before putting them back in your mouth.
- Brushing
Like the natural teeth, plaque and bacteria can accumulate on your dentures. Ensure you clean them daily by brushing and soaking them. By brushing your appliances daily, you will remove any debris and keep them stain-free.
The products and tools you use matter. Dentists recommend using a moist, soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush. If you opt for denture adhesive, make sure you clean the grooves that fit against the gums to remove the remaining adhesive.
- Soaking
Your dentures should always be moist to keep their shape and prevent them from drying out. When you remove them, soak overnight in warm water or specialized solutions. If you use denture soaking cleaners, soak your oral appliances for the period indicated on the product instructions.
Avoid soaking dentures with metal attachments in solutions that contain chlorine or bleach. The two of them can damage your appliances and lead to the corrosion of the metal. A professional dentist can recommend safe cleaning products.
Some denture cleaners contain chemicals. Therefore, avoid swallowing or gargling.
How to Get Rid of Stains on Dentures
The product is readily available in local retail stores. To remove the stains, coat your dentures with hydrogen peroxide. Next, rub it gently using a toothbrush.
- Use Denture Bleach
Some bleaching agents are designed to remove stains from dentures. Note that using the regular bleach may damage your device. Add a teaspoon of the bleach into a glass of water and soak your appliance in the solution for about 20 minutes.
Next, remove your device and brush it gently.
- Use Baking Soda
It is available in many homes. Other than ensuring your dentures are stain-free, you can also use it to get rid of bad odors. Make a solution by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of water and use a brush to remove the stains.
- Use White Vinegar
Most people also have the cleaning product in their pantries. It can help to clean and kill any bacteria that may be present in your dentures. Soak the devices in the solution overnight and brush it using a toothbrush in the morning.
- Use Some Salt
Dip a toothbrush in water and apply some salt. Use it to get rid of the stains. Alternatively, soak the dentures in a saltwater solution overnight.
Can You Use Whitening Products on Dentures?
Dentures may have superficial surfaces that can be polished for whitening.
However, the actual denture teeth cannot be whitened. Unlike your natural teeth, the oral devices may not respond to whitening products. The products may also contain chemicals that may damage your dentures.
In Summary
Taking care of your dentures is very similar to how you would take care of your natural teeth. Proper hygiene and cleaning is a must, and try and avoid those things that can prematurely stain your dentures.
